Red River United

09/16/2026

Last night, the Caddo Parish School Board voted to adopt the 2026–2027 Personnel Evaluation Plan, and Red River United is proud to support it!

For years, RRU has had a seat at the table and the opportunity to provide input on the evaluation and observation process for both certified and classified employees. That matters because it allows us to bring the concerns and experiences of our members directly to Human Resources and help shape procedures that work for employees and the district.

We appreciate that this collaboration continues. The newly adopted plan includes clear timelines, specific observation requirements, and an appeal process. These are all important protections that help ensure employees understand the process and have a voice when concerns arise.

We would love to see other districts provide this same level of clarity and employee input! This is why having a seat at the table matters.

Protect your observation. Protect your pay. Protect your career. Know the process, know the deadlines, and speak up when something isn’t right.

Please see the images below for our Observation Essentials: Observations, Deadlines & Appeals guide.

09/15/2026

It's National Voter Registration Day!

09/11/2026

In addition to our endorsed candidates, Red River United is pleased to recognize the following candidates who were rated favorable through our candidate interview process.

These candidates participated in interviews with our members and demonstrated an understanding of many of the issues important to educators, school employees, students, and our public schools.

CADDO PARISH

District 5
⭐ Courtney Harris
⭐ Karla McCulloch

District 6
⭐ Dana Fergins-Hawthorne
⭐ Cleveland Mouton

District 9
⭐ Paige Hoffpauir

DESOTO PARISH

District 5
⭐ Rekeisha Fuller
⭐ “Bubba” Patterson

RED RIVER PARISH

District 3
⭐ Jacob Caldwell

District 5
⭐ Monique McDuffy-Jones

While these candidates did not receive RRU's official endorsement, our interview committee found them to be favorable candidates worthy of consideration by our members and the community.

We appreciate each of them for taking the time to meet with educators, answer our questions, and participate in the process.

Educators are paying attention. Educators are engaged. And educators vote.

09/11/2026

We Will Never Forget.

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and the families, coworkers, and communities forever changed.

Among those killed were around 600 union members comprising more than 20% of all those who lost their lives that day.

They were firefighters, police officers, flight attendants, pilots, building workers, military personnel, and countless other working people. Many ran toward danger to save others, making the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow Americans.

Their courage reminds us of the very best of humanity: service, sacrifice, solidarity, and standing together in the moments that matter most.

Twenty-five years later, we remember their lives, honor their sacrifice, and stand together in their memory.

🇺🇸 September 11, 2001 — We Will Never Forget.

09/10/2026

Red River United Announces School Board Endorsements

Red River United was intentional and thoughtful throughout this year’s School Board endorsement process.

Too often, the voices of educators and retirees are missing from decisions that directly impact our schools, employees, students, and retirement security. With term limits creating an unusually large number of open seats this year, we saw an opportunity to help bring more of those voices from the classroom to the boardroom.

We followed our established endorsement process by reviewing incumbent voting records and inviting candidates to complete a questionnaire and interview with our committee. Our final endorsements represent a mix of supportive incumbents, educators, and retirees who understand the challenges facing public education.

Several additional candidates impressed our committee and were considered favorable because they generally aligned with our positions. However, an endorsement means something more—it is Red River United’s official declaration of support.

Red River United proudly endorses:

Caddo Parish
District 2 — Kenneth Coutee
District 8 — Emma Shepard
District 12 — Carter Bedford

DeSoto Parish
District 1 — Kennie Barkley
District 4 — Melissa Rutherford
District 8 — Megan Wedgeworth
District 9 — Ronnie Morris
District 10 — Coach Marty Williams

Red River Parish
District 4 — Alverster Barfield

We appreciate every candidate who participated in our process. These candidates have earned our support, and now we must do our part to elect School Board members who will listen to educators, respect employees, support students, and strengthen public education.

Voices from the Classroom to the Board Room.

09/08/2026

Help us grow the LFT community!

Scan the QR code and follow the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees on Facebook for updates on teachers and school employees pay, school funding, workplace rights, member victories, and decisions affecting Louisiana public schools.

Already following us? Share this post and invite your coworkers, family, and friends to follow LFT.

09/07/2026

This three-day weekend is brought to you by the Labor Movement.

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

It’s better in a union! 💪

09/04/2026

We are so proud of Cory! He is truly dedicated to public education and his students!

After 16 years as a personal chef and assistant, Cory Jackson wanted a career that would let him make a more direct difference in his community. 💜

He began working as a paraprofessional in Shreveport, Louisiana, where his Caddo Parish Public Schools principal recognized his potential and encouraged him to continue his education through Reach University.

Through Reach’s Apprenticeship Degree, Cory earned his bachelor’s degree and completed teacher licensure requirements while continuing to work in a school, without taking on student debt. His daily work became part of his college experience, allowing him to apply coursework directly with students while continuing to serve his school community.

Cory completed the program while navigating significant personal loss, supported by his family, classmates, professors, and advisors.

Today, he teaches third grade and helps his students imagine possibilities beyond what they can see right now. His story shows what can happen when talented school employees have a pathway to earn a degree without stepping away from the work they are already doing.

📚Read Cory's story: https://reach.edu/blog/life-after-reach-cory-jackson-believing-in-yourself-is-just-the-beginning

09/04/2026

From the Classroom to the Boardroom

It was great to be at the DeSoto Parish School Board meeting tonight with three of Red River United’s endorsed candidates for the upcoming School Board election:

Kennie Barkley — District 1
Melissa Rutherford — District 4
Ronnie Morris Sr. — District 9

One of the things we looked for during our endorsement process was a genuine commitment to public education—and that commitment begins with showing up, listening, learning, and being engaged.

School Board members make decisions that affect our students, our educators, our support employees, our retirees, and ultimately the entire community. We believe those decisions are stronger when the people making them understand what is happening in our schools and listen to the people doing the work every day.

We are proud to support candidates who are willing to do just that.

From the classroom to the boardroom, educator voices matter.

Congratulations again to Kennie Barkley, Melissa Rutherford, and Ronnie Morris Sr. on earning the endorsement of Red River United. We look forward to the work ahead.

We’re also proud to endorse two more educators who understand firsthand the challenges facing our schools, our students, and the people who serve them every day.

Coach Marty Williams- District 10
Megan Wedgeworth- District 8